Be there while being ANYWHERE. (WEEK 6 - COM 125)

Imagine a form of education without:

• Pens and papers
• Tables and chairs
• Heavy and cumbersome textbooks and laptops
• Four walls or the ceiling
• Having to pay attention to the teacher throughout the lesson
• Having to think what to wear to school (Yes ladies, I’m referring to you)
• Being distracted by inconsiderate and chatty classmates

I bring to you the classroom of tomorrow………

The Digital Classroom

Instead of having to wake up early in the morning and having to squeeze for space on the bus for your 830am class, one will be able to “reach” his or her classroom within a form of “turning on”. Yes, I mean turning on the laptop. One will be able to sit in for a class without having to groom or brush his or her teeth. Think about this, you can even go to class NAKED.



This form of learning will replace teachers with education facilitators, altering the formulaic teach-and-learn method with a revolutionary facilitate-in-learning method. Virtual learning allows the student to take charge of his or her own learning journey thus allowing him an endless array of information on the internet while looking at lecture material or attending a lecture online.



While many may claim that virtual education hampers human interaction and the development of social relationships, these can still be strongly encouraged and supported via online discussions and even forums.

With that, I move on to a platform that is used by many colleges and universities to educate their student via the digital route; Second Life. One can create a representation of himself or herself in a form of an avatar. More interestingly, avatars can be customized by changing their clothes, gender and even physical proportion.

Subsequently, one controls his or her graphic representation (the avatar) by attending lectures and being physically present in the virtual classroom. Thinking about it, this actually allows people who are more introverted to facilitate discussions by speaking to the lecturer through the monitor or a chat window. Additionally, students will not be distracted by others in the classroom and will not have to worry about rushing to class to be on time.

A video about education in Second Life

Perhaps the greatest benefit of the virtual classroom is that it allows an individual to be at two separate places at the same time. Imagine how efficient and time savvy that is.

One can babysit, or even be on holiday and yet attend a lecture! The ill or handicapped student will not have to worry about the hassles of attending class either.

Take a look at the time used on an a average weekday for a full-time university or college students below. Note the amount of hours and spend on grooming, taking transport, sleeping and working. With the digital classroom, less time will be spent on the first two and more on the latter two.

Time spent by on average by a university student

On the other hand, there are some drawbacks of digital learning such as:

• Inability to develop concrete social relationships with classmates
• Isolates us from reality
• Difficult to clarify with the lecturer regarding abstract material
• The possibility of the couch-potato syndrome
• Lecturers have to make a separate curricula for their online students
• Examination dishonesty.
• Unable to access non-verbal cues

However, the world is developing and moving at an increasingly fast pace. In this rat-race society, individuals are on the constant move and information is available anywhere and everywhere.

The question is, are human beings becoming victim to technology? In other words, are we losing the simplistic nature of life such as human bonding and face to face interaction? I can’t help but agree.

Web pages that suck (WEEK 5 - COM 125)

Last week’s lesson highlighted some of the necessities on E-commerce websites. The lesson included a video which I thought was extremely educational. However, I would like to talk about the calamity of bad web pages. Interestingly, research has suggested that if your web page does not interest the visitor within the first 15 seconds, they will leave.

What the hell is going on!?

After doing some research and looking at a few bad websites, here are my 10 DON’TS of e-commerce websites. They are in no order of importance.

(1) Not updated regularly

• Not updating your e-commerce website regularly just goes to show how much you care about your business or want your customers to know what you’re up to. Thus, it fails to inform customers about the latest and newest happenings and services you provide.

• E .g – FOREWORD COMMUNICATIONS PR WEB PAGE.

 This page has not been updated for nearly three years. There are no updated testimonials (last was in 2000). Also, there are no updated event showcases since 2005!

(2) No Sale

• Things never go on sale on the web page. This is key because customers are always looking for a good deal considering the fact that they cannot feel the product when wanting to purchase it.

• E.g – French Label A.P.C jeans NEVER have any sale no matter the time of the year.


(3) Bad navigation

• Visitors to the web page get lost in the website. They do not know how to find a particular page and the design of the web site makes navigation extremely inefficient and confusing. This is also known as Mystery Meat Navigation.

• E. g – University of Calgary webpage.





(4) Music that loads automatically

• Visitors do not like the fact that music is played on almost every other page of your website. How do you know if viewers would appreciate your music? Moreover, it gets REALLY annoying if it does not enhance or is compatible with the products you’re selling.

• E.g. - Cherokee Rose Border Collies (Navigating the website only makes you want to yell at the designer)

(5) Pop ups everywhere

• Imagine having to close a pop up each time you try to navigate to another web page. Excessive Pop-ups make the website very distracting and difficult to navigate.

• E.g. – Toy Joy’s website

 Worthy winners of the 2008 worst website tag. Pop-up appears on every single different page. Worst still, the navigation buttons mean nothing to the visitors.




(6) No information about site owners

• This negligible act shouts “no credibility”. It does not tell the visitor who they are dealing with nor does it provide any security. This is an absolutely turn off for any visitor and a website without information about its users is destined for disaster.

Did Casper create this web page?!



(7) Difficulty locating the checkout button

• Interestingly, I haven’t come across such bamboozling in a web page. But just imagine the consequences that may follow when you can’t locate where to process your order. NO BUSINESS.


(8) No information on return policy

• Having no information on this is dodgy. Buying goods online is already difficult as customers may not be able to tell if the material or fit of the apparel is suited for them. Some websites even rush their customers to return within 3 days which is not the best way to draw interest in your site or goods.


(9) Links that do not work

• This problem shows that the owners do not check their web sites regularly and can disappoint the customers particularly if the link is crucial to the product or service description. No information on service provided = No business. Please see the video below




(10) Poor product/service delivery

• I used to order my clothes from Zara but stopped because of the fact that the goods didn’t arrive the last time I tried to purchase a shirt. This is a real turnoff especially when they give you the excuse that it is due to shipping mess up.

I have highlighted the 10 DON’TS of e-commerce websites in which I have experienced. Before you go, please enjoy the following video.

Why are you LINKED? (WEEK 4 - COM 125)

I am not a fan or member of Facebook, Twitter or even Myspace. I simply find it superficial and too troublesome to upkeep. Moreover, I think it is a waste of time updating people on every single thing that happens (twitter) or daily events (Facebook). This leads me to mention about the displacement hypothesis reaction whereby spending hours on Facebook “stalking” people or uploading pictures will take time off some other more productive or healthy activity. Sometimes, we add people who we don’t even know, which can lead to various unwanted consequences too.



Worst still, it might minimize your chances of getting a job or even cost you your rice bowl via pictures of even comments. Here are some facebook faux pas that we should be aware of. Also, I find it very childish updating your personal status. Do you really have to tell the world if things are really “complicated” in your life?

There is nothing more "complicated" than Facebook itself

More importantly, I agree that Facebook is a good way to keep in touch with friends from overseas but I do not think it is necessary for trivial use in Singapore. Having said that, I believe that the more important thing is how you use social networking cites. In a recent study at the Ohio State University, a positive correlation was discovered between Facebook usage and academic grades! However, the study suffered major criticism due to various methodological flaws.

This leads me to move on towards a more useful and professional social networking site which I might submit to in the future, LinkedIn. The video will help you understand how this simple social networking site functions.



The usefulness of LinkedIn is integral for businesses, in particular for the individual businessman. A registered user can maintain a list of contacts that they know and trust. More importantly, it is a way or marketing yourself to your various others via your immediate connections.

This is particularly helpful if you’re seeking a better job, offering freelance services or simply maintaining positive relationships with others to increase your business and social circle. Additionally, job seekers can look up the profiles of potential managers and get a brief overview of the company before deciding whether to apply for a job there or not. It provides information about whether the company’s culture or protocols are aligned with the job seekers personality. Indirectly, it places the job seeker in a “head-hunting” position.

LinkedIN application

More importantly, this site helps the user become more productive and acknowledge the correct “paths” to take to accomplish their goals. As highlighted in the video, it may not be the lack of connections we have but instead, it is our ignorance that prevents us from finding and locating the other contacts linked to our immediate connections.

Another interesting feature of LinkedIn is LinkedIn Groups. Users can search for various groups that share similar profession or interest about a certain industry. They can discuss about various topics and this provides an excellent way to further increase or enhance business relationships. Hence i believe that the value obtained from social networking sites is based on how one uses it. In other words, WHY are you linked? There are various pros and cons of these sites. What do you think Mr Choy?

The Heart of Free Speech (WEEK 2/CNY - COM 125)

With the recent focus on social media in class, I strongly believe that the gist of social interaction on the web is defined by the First Amendment; Freedom of speech. I am a firm believer of free speech, especially on the internet.



Think about this. A company creates a website with their very own ideas and statements for EVERYONE to see. Hence, I believe that if an organization seeks to spread their views, values or any promotions on the internet to society, they should also tolerate society’s views, good or bad.

After all, the public may even offer constructive or intellectual suggestions and proposals for improving and enhancing the clarity of the web page. More importantly, it is another form of getting customer feedback and reviews on products sold.

However, what complicates the matter is the fact that the public may slander or offer comments that are either false or misguiding. This is probably the reason why maintaining a browser that allows for the freedom of speech could be detrimental.



This discussion leads me to bring up a form of social media that was discussed in class two weeks back (I sincerely apologize for this delayed post, CNY was hectic and time-consuming). In 1999, two Singaporean college students launched a free browser plug-in called Third Voice that enabled users to leave comments on any site they visit.

The main reason why this plug in was created was to ensure that corporations remain honest and, also to promote the freedom of speech. It enabled users to post “sticky notes” such as suggestions or comments on any web page. At the height of its fame in 1999, it appeared on the cover of Fortune magazine as one of the publication’s coolest companies of the year.

Unfortunately, this freedom turned into “web graffiti” and after petitions from 400 independent web hosts through a campaign called “Say No to TV”, Third Voice never recovered and eventually the service stopped. Interestingly, its creator Tan Eng Siong also highlighted that the lack of consumer awareness made it impossible to raise its advertising revenue to upkeep the service.



More recently, another form of browser plug-in has manifested. Kraft Foods’ Miracle Whip Brand has started an application that allows users to post comments on web-based content through their social network such as Facebook. In conjunction with Facebook, Zingr enables its users to leave comments on numerous web pages which appear as dialog boxes that can be posted anywhere on the web page.

These postings called “Zings” will then appear on the user’s networks on Facebook and Twitter. Now, if one clicks on that user’s link, it shows the comments or postings accumulated by all the friends on that user’s network inclusive of all the user’s comments. This allows a congregation of people having a “forum” on a particular topic or organization of interest.



According to Miracle Whip, it is “the newest way to allow users to add their own flavor to the internet” Only time will tell if this newly invented application holds firm. Perhaps, the notion of the freedom of speech is returning on the internet, we can only hope that users of this application do not abuse or turn it into web graffiti……

Low advertising revenue or not, I strongly believe that the main reason it failed was due to the fact that the government and media wanted to curb the public from promoting the truth ; what really goes on in the company.



Think in terms of journalism and how the notion of the free press is nothing but bullshit considering the fact that large multi-national conglomerates own a large share of the market’s news agencies and channels. What do you think they would want to promote? More importantly, what would they not promote?

Initially, I had no idea what podcast and RSS is at all being quite technologically handicapped. However, I got interested in it after the last lecture and realize that podcasting is an extremely fast way to receive up to date information about anything via RSS feeds. A noteworthy fact is that the term “podcast” came along because the creators of podcasts, Adam Curry and co. used ipods to listen to their RSS feeds.

Adam Curry -"podfather"

The video highlights three very important facts about why podcasting is useful

•Anyone can provide their own show or news that is open to the public without a satellite, radio station or studios needed
•Enabling users to receive up to date shows or news from a website automatically
•Downloadable on a MP3 player or an iphone allowing access to news anywhere.



I would also like to emphasize on two important points in highlighted on some interesting facts (fact 6) on podcasting . Not only should one have an interesting subject matter or enough material to create weekly update on one’s podcast. One must also be truthful to the public providing genuine and accurate facts and not defamation of events.

We owe the responsibility to ourselves and the public to provide the hard facts regardless of its consequences. Contemporary society is filled with tremendous uncertainty and fluidity. Therefore, we ought to use the First Amendment rights to cope with such events and not enhance the complexity among the public. Agree?

The Rise of the Machines (WEEK 1 - COM 125)

The Beginning………

The 50s and 60s were arguably the golden ages for American in terms of economy and world power. Interestingly, as I’ve just found out, it is also hallmark of a vision that would result in one of man’s most needed and important discoveries, the internet.

Leading the historic development was J.C.R Lickliner aka Lick is considered by most as the founding father of the internet. He had an idea of an interactive “galatic network” in which communication and information sharing would be transmitted over a network via millions of computers like the world today.


J.C.R LICKLINDER


He began his ideas by helping DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Project Agency) developed a system known as ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) in 1969 which provided a communication system for the military similar to that of the internet in terms of sharing information and communication. This development came about during the beginning of Sputnik 1 and the Cold war.

Before I forget, another important figure in the history of the internet is Vinton Gray Cerf. A graduate at Stanford University, he later became a professor at his alma mater and developed the TCP/IP protocols as you mentioned in class that formed the basis for the layers of different application and processes, something which I’m still a little confused about though.

Amidst the brilliance of The Net, there will at least be a clown who would claim to be part of this integral discovery in our lives. One such fool is Al Gore who in a 1999 CNN interview stated that he took the initiative in CREATING THE INTERNET; yes he meant that he INVENTED it. However, it is widely known now that his comical statement is flawed and he only actively promoted the usage of the Net.

The pride of America


For a start, Al Gore wasn’t even on the Congress when the APARNET and internet (1974) were formed. Gore was elected to Congress in 1976. Yes, Al Gore created the internet and I created Al Gore.

During the 1990s, the internet exploded in terms of popularity and development due to the web browser Mosaic (1993). However, two years before, the University of Minnesota became the first school to develop a simple system known as the Gopher to access files and information on campus, the equivalent of our own UB Learns. This started the trend for all universities to come equipped with an online system to serve the needs and benefits of their students.

The Gopher - mascot of the university of Minnesota

Another interesting fact is that as of 2004, only 13% (812 million) of the world's population are internet users and that Sweden is the country with the largest number of internet users (75%). Another noteworthy fact that surprised me is the fact that the internet is 35% English and 65% non-English. The graph below illustrates the growth of the internet and the percentage of English and non-English users.




Now and the Future…………

Before the first and second class, I had NO IDEA about Web 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 or even 4.0. I’ve never heard of it simply because I am an internet goof with poor knowledge on the technological aspects of this world. Indirectly, I am a technophobic.
Nevertheless, I’ve found out some interesting facts about Web 3.0 which is my concern now because you’ve mentioned that technology is somewhere in between Web 3.0 and 4.0.

In simple terms, Web 3.0 will be able to determine the meaning of the text and data and come up with connections that are related to the users. In this day and age, I would need to use the assistance of multiple searches before I can figure what movie to watch, where to watch it and where to have dinner after that. At least three different pages will be in use on my screen and let’s not forget the coordination between the movie and dinner timings that I would have to factor in. Tedious it is…..maybe.

In the near future, Web 3.0 will allow me to type, “I want to see a movie and then eat at a Spanish restaurant, what are my options?” Web 3.0 then locates the whereabouts of the various Spanish eateries and finds the most convenient location for a cinema thereafter. Additionally, if I choose to be more specific, by adding “thriller movie” into my search sentence, 3.0 would be able to sift out the desired genre of movies at the nearest cinema from the restaurant.

Even better, Web 3.0 acts like a personal assistant and it learns more about me and you after multiple search entries. It begins to be more personal providing increasingly accurate results tailored to the user based on past searches. The computer thus becomes an active participant in the search relying on conceptual meaning from us. I found an interesting and simple video that illustrates the purpose and benefits of the semantic web as shown below.



One day, you and I would simply have to key “Any suggestions for a romantic dinner?” to get options based on our previous dining choices. Shocking isn’t it? I won’t be surprised if computers begin conversing with us by Web 10.0. I hope I’ll be alive by then to be part of that era. What do you think?

Me, myself and him

Looking back on how life has changed, I started to reflect on what made him into that very person he is today. Can media really make a person? Oh yes it can, that’s according to the communication module I’m undergoing and this very project I am currently studying. A passive subject at the hands of the media.

For those of you who’ve seen Fight Club, in my opinion, the greatest movie of all time would have actually seen Brad Pitt in his prime. The rugged dressing Tyler Durden with such suave hairdo and uncanny but stunning dress sense ate into poor him. The movie was first screened in 1999 and it possessed a hypodermic needle sting so potent that influenced his view of the perfect looking man till this very day.

Tyler Durden in Fight Club


What am I trying to say? That hairdo and patch of grass (although too thick) under his chin tells me of the roots of his influence. After much persuasion by me to understand his inner thoughts, I realized the truth about his insensible influence and ideal persona.


“He reminds me of a gangster, at least in the way he speaks” was the remark i got when I asked for someone’s opinion on him recently. Well, I’m not surprised as the classic four letter word has been deep-rooted in almost every sentence that shoots out from his mouth. I can attribute that to the lists of crude and violent Hollywood films that occupy his movie rack from young.

Hitmen John Travolta and Samuel L jackson in Pulp Fiction.


A movie buff, he has seen movies from Pulp Fiction to Reservoir Dogs to Trainspotting, films that have crude language in almost every dialogue.(Pulp fiction holds the current record for the amount of profanities it has)

Quentin tarantino's second classic - Reservoir Dogs


I’ll like to blame Quentin Tarantino or Irvine Welsh for this, but it doesn’t help when one from a young age allows such a deep cut to his tongue by that very needle.


Before I go, I’ll like to share with you how the recent rise in race car movies has influenced this man so deeply that I almost lost my life sitting in his car. Remember Gone in sixty seconds and 2 fast 2 furious - Tokyo Drift? I literally had that experience on the PIE some time back; only difference was that the medium for speed was a Ford Mondeo meandering and drifting from left to right and such a maniacal speed. Seems like the needle stung his brains and sense. Kindly observe the meter below.



This is what it looks like at that speed


I'd like to think that you've seen this someone around no?

Like it or not, the media influences us in one way or the other. How we dress, wear our hair or even speak. It affects our perspectives and beliefs in life. In my opinion, it makes us another person then who we originally will be if not for media. Media makes us who we are and who we’re not. One way or the other, we are victims of the Powerful effects theory; consciously or unconsciously.



I wonder what would happen if everything on this planet became Ground Zero one day

Do you?

White Chrysanthemums, Mama Mia!

There are so many different cultures in the world surrounding us. Different societies are bounded by different cultural norms and rules. It’s always interesting to observe or experience another culture’s way of living, communicating or perspective of things. I was in Barcelona sometime back and it was interesting to find out that the Spaniards only have dinner at around ten or eleven at night! Well, I only saw a handful of people eating at the diners during my trip for obvious reasons.

Nevertheless, when two people from different cultures meet, there is a high chance of misinterpretation or misunderstanding. Kindly take a look at the clip which is only a minute long.




We see a clash of two cultures here. The English lad (as by his accent – 0.21-0.23s) was unprepared for intercultural contact and his insensitivity has ended in a calamity. The donna in this case was left with people mourning for her. Even more “comical” later is the commercial's message that the two women had seen a ghost coming to life. In this clip of classical cultural conflict, the Englishman’s perception and interpretation of his reality contradicts the Italian culture with regard to the white chrysanthemums as a floral gift. In British culture, the white chrysanthemum symbolizes truth or genuineness, whereas it is only acceptable for funerals as it is a symbol of death in Italy. In my opinion, there is also an assumption of similarity as the man obviously assumes that the Italian woman would see the white flower in the same way he does, thus overlooking a major cultural difference.

The many different features of culture


My point being that we people should be sensitive and updated on an unfamiliar culture if we do ever have intercultural contacts. What is acceptable for us may be extremely taboo to another and slips like these could severe friendships, relationships or even a business deal.

I can safely say that HSBC have made efforts to understand cross cultural norms, knowledge and values worldwide. Have you?

I,Mayhem

World War Three has arrived, not literally but in the notion that we are struggling in a war against terrorism. These men of “self-righteousness” will forever continue to recruit those around them, namely immediate family members or friends. The numbers of carnage fanatics will continuingly increase and society is, in my opinion, fighting a lost cause. Yes they’ve caught Hambali, killed Mushin Musa and probably Mas Selamat as well, but these are just a few of the, I dare say, hundreds of thousands goons around the world.


Terrorism will never stop and Bush’s promise (look up 2001 quotes) to America that the heads responsible for September 11th will pay is utter bullshit. Let’s be honest, there’s no way America’s going to nab all of them is there? Finding Al Qaeda’s leading boys will be like finding needle in hay.

Even a magnifying class will not find you the needle.


I know for a fact that there will surely be more bombings, deaths and anguish worldwide in the future. What makes it even more dangerous is the fact that detonation happens at the most common and trivial of places like the MRT or even in a bus. Has it ever crossed your mind that you could just blow up into pieces all of a sudden?

Efficiency is key to achieving goals and objectives, as explained in the cartoon.


Nevertheless, it is key that society should be well-prepared to faced or foil these threats. Symbolic occurrences such as those of September 11, the Bali, Madrid and London bombings will leave a scar among the many whose friends and family perished in. More recently, the string attacks that were the result of three consecutive car bombs in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad claimed 32 and injured as many as a hundred.




People standing at the site of car bombing in the Shurta Rabaa district of west Baghdad, Iraq, Monday Sept. 29, 2008.



These men make flawed decisions because group pressures lead to a deterioration of mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgment. Terrorist cells have a tendency to ignore alternatives and take irrational actions that cause chaos. A group is especially vulnerable to groupthink when its members are similar in background and insulated from outside opinions. This is a good example of why Islam contributes the largest collection of terrorist as the founders of leading terrorist groups are of Islamic origin. Moreover, prejudice and destestation towards the west has been in cultivated from a young age as a result of growing up in such an environment.(I personally don’t have any grudge against Muslims so if you are one, kindly do not take this personally). However, I feel that these Middle Easterners tarnish the reputation of Muslims around the world.



The evil amongst men - Clip on 9/11, London and Madrid bombings

I can say that these maniacs of destruction are blinded strongly by the four of the eight symptoms of groupthink:

1. Illusion of invulnerability – Terrorist groups believe that they are the best and are delusional of the destruction and sufferings they cause.

Consistent attacks worldwide are non-verbal cues to their belief of invulnerability that they as a collective unit can stand strong against anti-terrorism, anything and anyone.
2. Collective rationalization –They justify their ill-action as the “holy war”


3. Belief in group’s own morality – These terrorist organizations believe that their acts of carnage and mayhem are morally correct.


4. Shared stereotypes – Al Qaeda and Jemmah Islamiah has massive animosity and hatred for the West(America) or any of the American allies.

They feel that they are against the majority of the world and in truth; the world is also against them due to the reputation that these terrorist have.

Has mayhem in anyway ever been part of your agenda?

Source : 1)Associated Press (AP)
Photographer - Hadi Mizban

SIZE matters

We all know the power of sex and how beautiful that gift is to mankind. Remember that latest seductive role play you’ve had with your significant other before “kickoff’? Okay, I’m just stimulating your fantasy but I shan’t go into details as the Lady Gaffer might not be too pleased.

My point is that sex is the most pleasurable activity men will ever have and what baffles me even further is that how some seem to disregard or downplay sex as a conversational topic, especially among women (ladies, Do correct me if I’m wrong.) With that said, I am impressed with advertisements that use seductive and sexual scenes to promote their brand. One, I think it’s a hell creative to do something like that, and two, I do not see a need to hide our true primitive nature. Whoever in the world associated outright sexual scenes as taboo and why does society, especially Asian culture, equate it to almost a sin?

Let me explain to you the definition of “art”. You may want to click on the picture to view clip.




I was impressed with the non-verbal cues in the clip and what first hit me is the usage of novel stimuli (something unique). How often do we see a sandwich at that unique position? I’ve never and I bet you’ve never. Secondly, notice the interesting representation of environmental objectics, in this case, the sandwich to convey the meaning of the absolute obvious. Thirdly, the man shows of a non-verbal intentional classic symbolic behavior of D.I.Y. at 0.08 seconds (I’m sure you boys are familiar with this, sorry ladies.) Next, Vocalics (giggling and laughter) and affect displays (“pole dancing”) both regulate the flirtatious act between the two individuals. Lastly, her affect displays and oculesis (eye movement) at the end when she conceals her flesh shows her unwillingness to flirt with a “smaller burger”. Hence the very interesting message for the audience is that a bigger burger attracts a lady,



thereby promoting the long and bigger chicken burger. A gem of an advertisement……. Does size matter to you?

Source : 1) www.funnyplace.org

Message Sent.

Whilst studying for this coming monday's Communications Mid Year paper, I came across a section in Unit 3 about Knapp's Model of communication and without thinking, updated my blog.

I got a little distracted studying communications and decided to drop her one of my monthly sms asking about her well-being and wishing her a good night's sleep about 24hours back. I cannot exactly remember the time but it wasn't late to begin with. Like Many of the gazillion text messages i sent her, she hasn't even replied any since a good one year ago. Ok yes, thats stage nine of Knapp's model, avoiding me (Im obviously not avoiding her) giving the "hint".

She has sealed the channel of communication from me in more ways than one. Not a single word despite one of those lovey dovey stupid boxes that contains goods seeking one's atttention and reconcilation appearing at her doorstop about a month back.Well, to be honest, i fear this..........whatever you wished to call it....is already one and a half foot in Stage 10. No calls, emails, letters, or even replies. Guess that qualifies for stage 10 doesn't it? A capsized boat in the Bermuda triangle, at least from my point of view. I could also link this relationship disengagement strategy to behavioural de-escalation; totally avoiding contact from me.

I'm gonna leave you people here,silence isn't that golden afterall is it?

The Cold Shoulder


The anxiety of waiting for a text you know will never come is excruciating for one's soul. Believe me, espeically if a text comes from another in the midst of your wait.

(If you're out there, i hope to hear from you.) -----------------------------------------> Message Sent.

Source : 1) Me, Myself and a girl called M

Pentagon's 184

9.37 am Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), September 11, 2001. American Airline Flight 77 crashes into the west side of The Pentagon killing a total of 184 people, 125 people in the building and 59 passengers on board; the third plane of the September 11 attacks. I remember that very day when I was in secondary school and still a little too naïve and ignorant to empathize with such an issue. Anyway, exactly seven years after, I found an article on the Straits Times that i would like to share.



Clip explaining the significance of the memorial benches


In commemoration of the 184 who perished, a two-ache park with 184 cantilevered benches was built with each and every victim’s name inscribed on a single bench; the new memorial officially opened to the public about a week ago on September 11, 2008. The benches are positioned in progression according to the age of the victims with the youngest, age 3, to the oldest, age 71. What is more significant and memorable about the site is that it is built where the plane hit.


On an academic note, the American government has non-verbally communicated to the world through physical objects (artifacts) the respect given to the perished ones. The benches signify the deaths associated with September 11, 2001. The monument is also an honorable gesture from the government to the victims and their families and also a symbol of arguably America’s darkest moment.The positioning of the benches is also personalized depending on whether the victim died at the Pentagon or onboard the plane as explained in the clip. In my opinion, the American government commendation’s of the victims, to an extent, strengthens the unity within the nation and their war against terrorism, a notion of supremacy and stability in turbulent times.

However majestic or artistic the monument is, it can never replace the mourning and tragedy that the American people have suffered. We people are fortunate enough not to have experienced such a crisis and with fingers crossed, I hope we will never. If Washington is ever on my list of destinations in America, an afternoon walk on Virginia’s hallowed ground will be on the cards; a walk filled with worlds of respect and sentiments…..

Care to join me?

Sources : The Straits Times Saturday
September 13th 2008 Pg C15

The Art of Deception

Its amazing how creative people can be.



I do not exactly know how many of you out there are aware of, in my opinion, this unique and brilliant advertisement that supports the theme “Get the full story”. Firstly, I am fascinated with the way the advertisers make us go “what the……” or “Jesus…..” (For me) and then sinks reality in by the simplest of actions. We experience two different emotions in a space of thirty seconds. Secondly, notice the additional effort to sway the audience to disgust at 0.15, the “bouncing” action when we boys piss, we all know that happens at the very end of the session now don’t we gentlemen? Sorry ladies, I’m not exactly sure if bouncing is a part of your urinating session, but I can guess it might not be. Also, not to be missed is the classic posture of the hands; I definitely don’t piss with one or both hands at my hips. Thirdly, appreciate the timing in which the advertisement encourages us to find out about “Singapore’s worst restaurant” (or so we thought), evidently supporting an atrocious action – pissing in the kitchen. Timing is just as good when it completes the sentence – “and the best” evidently incorporating the normal kitchen scene at the end.

The audiences are being forced to draw conclusion (closure) during the first 18 seconds courtesy of the chef. This can be also considered as one of the points of the idols of the tribe, the tendency for us to jump to conclusions. Interpretation is also influenced by the nonverbal cues as seen in the clip, back facing screen coupled with the “bouncing” and water-dripping sound effect have us thinking about only one possible action.

"Am i or am i not?"


Message sent: Don’t draw conclusions without having the full story, communication may be deceptive. Have you drawn any conclusion of your own?

Source : 1) Mediacorp 93.8 Live.
(youtube clip)

"Showbolting"

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I stared at the television in absolute awe after the Men’s Olympics 100 meters sprint, embracing and relishing that very moment. I had not only witnessed history but had also seen a Bolt of Lighting flashed across Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium almost as invincible as light. Usain Bolt had taken a human being to a speed of 10.319 meters per second.

The man not only set a new world record timing, he smashed his own world record timing of 9.72 seconds set in May. The scoreboard flashed 9.69, 9.69 seconds! For those who do not share my astonishment or seem oblivious to sporting records, just imagine running ten meters in under a second, need I further elaborate the height of sporting brilliance?

When Bolt realized that he had the race in his pocket and was way ahead of the chasing seven, he indulged in a bit of showmanship before hitting the tape. Bolt slowed down and shifted his focus towards the spectators with arms slightly wide opened instead of focusing on a full-speed finish. His non-verbal action implied a “catch me if you can” pose and I felt it expressed the confidence and pride he possesses. A clearer picture would be on the Straits Times issue on August 17th where it pictured the Jamaican “mocking” the other runners with his flamboyant yet teasing pose prior to the finishing line.


"Catch me if you can"


The aftermath celebrations were even more theatrical, his infamous gesture, one arm pulled back and the other reaching forward portraying an archer shooting upwards was to me an indication that he had risen to the pinnacle of the fastest man in the universe. With that, I perceived Bolt as saying to himself “Lighting Bolt shoots down Swift Seven”, and no one ought to disagree. Actions such as Mr. 9.69 kneeling before the crowd, right hand on his chest and his left extended outwards as if to thank his fans and the Jamaican people signified the importance this race meant to him.


The image of the 2008 Olympics


On a personal note, I disagree with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) interpretation of Bolt’s gestures as having a lack of respect for his opponents. The IOC president Jacques Rogge was quoted as saying “That’s not the way we perceive a champion, I think he should show more respect for his competitors and shake hands…….” That could be considered an Interactive model of communication with feedback on Bolt's non-verbal message, which could possibly be due to Jacques's view on ideal sportsmanship after the race. The Belgian, jacques, possibly has a less upbeat and more modest character compared to that of the outgoing "reggae come punk rocked influenced" (cultural influence) Bolt. However, I believe being the fastest ever throughout the chronicles of mankind deserves some sort of a majestic celebration. It is impossible to identify with that immediate uncontrollable feeling of exuberance and ecstasy of having the World at your feet unless one has experienced (influences feedback) glory at such level. I can safely say Mister Jacques never did except for a few Olympic yachting experiences and a stint with the Belgian Rugby team, not quite the same level as Bolt’s annus mirabillis.

On that historical night in the Forbidden City, Bolt was innocently showing the watchful eyes of the World the uncontainable joy of being crowned the “World’s fastest ever man alive”. As from this very moment, London awaits the lighting that is Jamaica’s Golden Boy. Any thoughts on this one?

Sources : 1)The Strait Times
Thursday, August 21, 2008 Pg B10
Author - Marc Lim
2) The Strait Times
Friday, August 22, 2008 Pg B23